Top 5 smart ways to escape Paris

TOP 5 SMART WAYS TO ESCAPE PARIS

So, have you ever felt that you almost need to escape Paris so that you learn more about France?

If so, then this article is for you.

Wendy Hollands from Le Franco Phoney shares her stories as an Australian who did her best to be as French as possible until at least she could speak more than a few words of French.

She felt like a fake French person, more of a francophoney than a francophile.

If you relate, then read her post for ways to escape Paris, and watch the video to help you finish your own journey and become a real francophone.

(This week: the verb FINIR – to finish)

Paris is a bustling and ornate city, with lots of interesting streets, buildings and people.

But how many visitors and residents leave the bright lights to explore some nearby places that have their own special qualities?

Plenty of day trips and weekend breaks are in easy reach from Paris.

Here are five great getaways.

Lyon (2hrs by TGV)

The food capital of France is Lyon, and being just two hours away on the train from Paris makes popping down for a tasty lunch easy.

However, with traditional ‘bouchon’ restaurants dotted around the gorgeous streets of the old town, you might need a weekend to experience as many dining options as possible.

And there’s plenty to see as you walk off all those meals: the hidden passages (called ‘traboules’) leading to architectural gems everywhere in the old town; amazing views from the Basilique Notre Dame de Fourviere; Roman ruins and museums.

Don’t forget about the amazing Fête des Lumières, held in early December.

Annecy (3hrs 40 by TGV)

Summertime in Annecy means ice cream, lake sports, and ambling around the old town. This is definitely a full weekend place.

Take a traditional wooden boat tour to learn more about the lake and the surrounding mountains, or enjoy swimming in the purported cleanest lake in Europe.

One event not to miss is the Venetian Festival in early March, when the costumes from the Carnival in Venice are paraded through the beautiful streets of Annecy.

Although the weather is normally sunny by March, the air can be chilly, so why not warm up with a traditional raclette, fondue or tartiflette meal afterwards.

Carrier Wellington, Arras (2 hrs by car)

Arras has undergone a facelift in the past five years, restoring the beautiful central buildings from grey to colourful façades.

But the city is also remarkable for what’s underground: a labyrinth of caves were used during the first and second world wars.

Dating back to medieval times, the caves were expanded by New Zealand and British miners during World War 1.

Tours are available in a variety of languages.

Carnac Alignments (5 hrs by car)

Too far away for a day trip but well worth a weekend visit, the Carnac Alignments are France’s vast answer to England’s Stone Henge.

Rows of stones, placed during Neolithic times, carry on for miles in order from tallest to shortest.

Access is limited in summer, so going out of season is best, when visitors can walk amongst the stones.

The visitor centre has pamphlets and a free indoor tour in a variety of languages, plus outdoor tour guides for hire.

And if you go for the weekend, why not take a boat ride to the nearby Gavrinis cairn — a tomb dating back to around 3,500 BC and viewable by torchlight only.

Faux de Verzy (2 hrs by car)

Just up the road from Epernay, where Champagne is made, is a forest of twisted beech trees.

The Faux de Verzy has a nature trail that you can follow, highlighting the trees and explaining a little more about them.

Their unusual twists are attributed to a genetic flaw.

Why not extend your trip to an overnight stay in Epernay so you can sample some distilled grapes without the worry of driving afterwards?

You can find out more about each of these places on Wendy’s blog, Le Franco Phoney, along with plenty of other places around France.

NOW IT IS YOUR TURN!
Tell us in the comments below: what are Your ways to escape Paris? Are you even looking for any? 🙂

Let me guess.

Do you constantly have the feeling that you can’t hear what the French say and you don’t know how to read all the French words because they are written so much differently than they sound?

Learn 3 secrets that will help you be self sufficient in the way you pronounce French words – even if you don’t know what they mean – so that you can read that sophisticated menu in your favorite French restaurant.